Peter Hook from New Order described the film as "A film about the biggest c*nt in Manchester, played by the second biggest."
1500 revellers returned to the Hacienda to help film the penultimate scenes of the movie. Original Hacienda DJs Dave Haslam and Mike Pickering were brought in once again to mix the decks. Bernard Sumner and Peter Hook joined Mark 'Bez' Berry and a host of original regular Hacienda-goers who danced the night away into the early hours.
The opening scene, in which Tony Wilson (Steve Coogan) goes hang gliding for an item on his regional Granada news program, really happened. Furthermore, original Granada footage, showing the real Tony Wilson in some distress, has been spliced into this scene.
Sean Harris studied Ian Curtis in depth up to and during production. He also perfected Curtis' infamous dancing from watching video footage of Curtis on stage.
Morrissey refused to allow The Smiths' music to be used in the film, due to a dispute with Factory Records and Tony Wilson.